My team is struggling. I, am struggling. The church, is struggling!
I’m convinced that a major problem in the church today is the lack of biblical community. Most of us have a community of some sort. It could be a small group, your family, roommates or just the friends you hang around and do life with. I shared a poem at the end of this blog that expresses my feelings on this issue.
So what is biblical community?
Why is there so much division in the church?
And why does everyone fight over who is right instead of looking to what the word of God says?
Instead of sharing my opinions and frustrations on this subject, I’ve decided to share only what the word of God says.
As you read these scriptures think about your community.
Think about other Christians who annoy you, or make you feel misunderstood.
Think about how you can obey a simple command and serve them well regardless of how they respond.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we surely ought to love each other.”
1 John 4:11
“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
Psalms 133:1
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Ephesians 4:2-3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Philippians 2:3-5
Ok I could share so much more, but Ephesians 4 and Philippians 2 say it all.
We are to live at peace with each other and have a Christlike attitude. Now you tell me, are Christians living in harmony today? Do we have a CHRISTLIKE ATTITUDE???
Scripture is so very clear on what we are to do. Instead of living in harmony we are playing tug of war.
My current team has struggled with this. We are very different from each other, a lot like the disciples were. We don’t always live in harmony but we try.
I want to be vulnerable and share a poem I wrote. This poem was inspired by my emotions towards my team, myself and the church as a whole. I’m honestly a little insecure about it as I am pushing myself to the next level in my poems/writing. It was uncomfortable to write, but it stretched me and challenged me.
“Tug of War in The Church”
To benefit humanity we ought be ourselves
but
You are as much a slave to your path,
as I am committed to labor my trail
you misjudge what I do,
I underestimate you
Who is misunderstood?
What should we do?
Your strict methods remain accurate and true
My rugged journey proves to be true to me
How can we be one body without unity?
How much ground is conquered in tug of war?
We devote all of our strength pulling each other forward.
We are finished, both on the floor.
Our intentions were good but we are now worse off than before.
Stop pulling there is something I see.
Stop pulling! For one second, let me speak!
This tug of war has divorced us
In separation we become weak!
You committed to your way and I to mine
we gave our all with the same goal in mind
Yet here we are ,spent, tired and worn. Back at zero.
Don’t you see what’s happening? Everyone wants to be the hero!
You want all the applause and so do I, yet pride will lead to our demise.
Let’s drop the rope
This tug of war must end
It’s time for us to walk hand in hand
We’ve got to stop controlling each other
We’ve got to change
It’s time our hearts be rearranged
But you must be authentic and so must I
We are as incomparable as water and sky
You the hand and me the foot
You the ear and me the eye
We are as clashing as hello and goodbye
We can still move forward can’t you see?
We can still be one body with unity!
You see, all of nature works as one
Water donates to the sky with help from the sun.
The sky receives until it is full
and then gives back to fill every pool
The body is one with a foot and a hand
Neither works without the brains command
The ear, eye and nose are incomparable as well
For What good is an ear that tries to smell?
So let’s rearrange our hearts
Let’s not advertise ourselves
Let’s broadcast the body and manage our strengths well.
You operate as you and I persevere as me
But it is fundamental to sacrifice for unity.
To benefit humanity we ought be ourselves
It’s time for a change!
Depart from your path I’ll abandon my trail
Let’s shift our eyes off of ourselves
Let us yoke to the path that points to Him
The one on the cross paying for our sin
You misjudge what I do
I underestimate you.
But none of that matters
We are united in the truth
We all feel misunderstood
What should we do?
Take up your cross
Don’t live for yourself, He died for you.
